MyFox
 

fenwaydav's Blog

by fenwaydav from fenway/Boston

Last Post 11 hours Ago


OOPS! WRONG SIDE......
Jul 4, 2008 | 8:45 PM
Category: News
Report This Post

The surgeon talked to the patient and gave a full explanation and full apology. 

The middle age patient was operated on the wrong side.  What could the explanation be?  Well he had a lot on his mind and was distracted.  Oh, I see no problem.... Yeah right..  He will be (the patient) in short term discomfort following this elective orthopedic procedure.  It was clearly marked by other staff to the side that should be done. 

A few months ago, I had elective wrist surgery on my right hand.  This involved 2 incisions, 1 at the base of the right thumb and the other at the wrist just below the thumb.   Before I was sent into la la land the surgeon spoke to me exactly what was going to be done.  At the point where the incision was going to be it was marked with this neon purple dye.   This dye would remain on my wrist a full month or more after the procedure.

This is a fact that just blows my mind.  In the first five months of the year,  this kind of event has happened 5 times so far with it happening a average of 15 times annually.  How can that be?   Probably nothing of great consequence will happen to this doctor being a death didn't occur.  I am not so sure if one had occurred much would have happened.

12 Comments |  Add a Comment

Member Comments Total Comments: 12
Page 1 of 1
lafko06 read my blog view my photos
Jul 5, 2008 | 7:38 AM

Just unbelievable that this kind of thing happens. I've come to the realization that if I ever have to go if for any surgery I will get red, black, yellow and blue markers and put a big bullseye on the part of me that needs work. Hopefully I won't have any problems with my backside because I'd
have a potentially questionable bullseye.

Hope you had a great 4th.
fenwaydav read my blog view my photos
Jul 5, 2008 | 9:34 AM

They almost do that these days and they still screw it up and I forgot to say when the Doc marked the surgery, he also put his initials....
TheEliteOne read my blog
Jul 5, 2008 | 1:59 PM

That is some scary stuff. Here I am always checking my mechanic's work. Now I have to double check my doctor?

What I am wondering is, how many of these mistakes don't make the news?
legendkiller34 read my blog
Jul 5, 2008 | 4:10 PM

Fenway,
you can't take anything for granted nowadays,
but of coarse the doctor's lawyer will just say
it was a mistake, something that shouldn't have happened. That he had been working for 36 straight hours, BLEEP like that.
I guess you could always do like the guy on
NYPD Blues did, Sippowitz, he wrote on the side of his body "NOT THIS SIDE"
Xantun read my blog view my photos
Jul 6, 2008 | 1:35 PM

Dave, and we're all paying higher health costs because of this bozo. The GOOD doctors are going to get a bump in malpractice rates, and you know this guy's gonna get sued.

Doctors like this need to have their licenses yanked, and be banned from getting one anywhere in this country again. We need doctors, but we need the ones that know what they're doing. Luckily for this patient, it wasn't open heart surgery or organ removal. What about the next person unlucky enough to get saddled with this doc?
fenwaydav read my blog view my photos
Jul 6, 2008 | 3:28 PM

It's kind of funny I wish he did make a mistake with my wrist, because eventually will have to have that one done too. But you are right when you say luckily it wasn't a more serious surgery. Although as far as I'm concerned every surgery is serious.
Xantun read my blog view my photos
Jul 6, 2008 | 4:25 PM

Dave, I didn't mean that there's surgery that's not serious...Given my choice between a screw up on a kidney transplant or a screw up on elective orthopedic surgery, I'll take the screw up on the elective. Which is why I'm not scheduling the knee surgery I know I'm overdue for any time soon. It's also one of the reasons I passed on surgery for my hands.

I'm just hoping that this doc is out of commission before he screws up a surgery that has fatal consequences.
fenwaydav read my blog view my photos
Jul 6, 2008 | 5:27 PM

I knew what you meant. I don't know where you go for Orthopedics, but New England Baptist is about the best you can get. Not for anything, but the Red Sox and other sport teams go there.
Xantun read my blog view my photos
Jul 6, 2008 | 7:02 PM

I don't really have an orthopedics place, I'd probably go through the dr who did my original knee surgery...But, unfortunately, I can't exactly be unable to drive for any amount of time right now, so that's gotta wait.

But, if and when that becomes an option, I'm definitely NOT going to the guy you blogged about!
Happyg read my blog
Jul 8, 2008 | 9:04 AM

Fenway,
Since I'm already being attacked on on threads by Legendkiller and classicmovies, I might as well fuel their flames. Mostly because I know you don't live in a bubble. But that thing about your wrist, is it still a little limp?


Fenway,
A few months ago, I had elective wrist surgery on my right hand.
fenwaydav read my blog view my photos
Jul 8, 2008 | 9:32 AM

I can take it Happyg with a smile on my face. (now that in itself sounds a little risky) The wrist is fine, but I still look down at it sometimes just flopping In the breeze. (my wrist)........
Happyg read my blog
Jul 8, 2008 | 9:48 AM

LOL! Have a great day. I gotta go.



fenwaydav
Jul 8, 2008 | 9:32 AM I can take it Happyg with a smile on my face. (now that in itself sounds a little risky) The wrist is fine, but I still look down at it sometimes just flopping In the breeze. (my wrist)........
Page 1 of 1


Write your comment below:




fenwaydav

This is my semi annual profile update. Live in the West Fenway section of Boston with my cat Daisy (pictured). Came to Ma. about 30 years ago from Nu Yawk. If we had a conversation you would think I just got off the boat. I lived in Waltham, Bedford, Lowell and now Boston. Never ever was a sports fan in NY. My family hates that I am now a dedicated Red Sox Fan. I was in the Navy, I drove a Taxi in NY, I worked for the VA, and now have a disability retirement from the Post Office. I am a Jewish, Gay man in my mid 50's. I am a registered democrat who has voted for Nixon and Reagan and I don't care what you think about my social or political views.

Member Since: 6/12/2007


 

View All Photos


RSS: XMLWhat is RSS?